After graduating from Emporia State, Mildred was the educational director at the First (United) Methodist Church in Pittsburg, Kansas, for two years. After earning an additional major in social science in 1963, she taught for two years in Colorado before returning to Kansas as a history and government teacher at Flinthills High School. Mildred taught at Flinthills High School for 31 years until she retired in 1997.

"Education has always been important to our family," Mildred said. "However, the funds to pay for it have sometimes not been readily available. As I was trying to decide who should be remembered in my will I thought back on my own school days and how the drought of the '50s impacted us financially.

"With that thought in mind I decided that part of whatever money was left should go to the Emporia State University Foundation," Mildred continued. "Hopefully, it will give students, who are in a similar financial position to what I once was, the means to complete their education."

Established in 2016 by Colleen, the Roger G. & Colleen D. Thebo Scholarship will provide scholarships for secondary or elementary education majors who graduated from a high school in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Colleen explained why she wanted to establish the scholarship.

"I worked because there was no other way," Colleen said. "My father had no money to send me to school, so I had to put myself through by government loans and by working. I had worked on-campus for a very short period of time and worked at Feld Chevrolet in Kansas City, Kansas, during the summers.

"I wanted to give financial assistance to students to attend school because college is incredibly expensive. I know that I needed help when I went to school, so I wanted to help other students, specifically from Wyandotte County."

Both Roger Thebo, Colleen's late husband, and Colleen herself were longtime residents and supporters of Wyandotte County. While Roger was a police captain, Colleen was a teacher until her retirement.

"I was influenced to be a teacher because of an educator I was taught by," said Colleen Thebo. "He did a lot to make me interested in the field of English, so I wanted to be an English teacher. Emporia State allowed me to become a teacher, which I then continued to do for 32 years. It was the diving board that got me into the occupation."

Colleen Thebo has hopes that her scholarship can provide the financial assistance that could help Hornets in the future.

"I hope it allows people who can't afford school to be able to attend and become what they want to become. Hopefully teachers, but if they don't decide to become teachers after their training, I hope it helps with their all-around education."

Dr. Ken Weaver, dean of The Teachers College, discussed the impact that Mildred Caldwell and Colleen Thebo have had on him.

"I am grateful every day for Emporia State University's students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends," said Weaver. "Generous alumni like Mildred Caldwell and Colleen Thebo invest in academic excellence and inspire all of us with their generosity and vision. Emporia State University's enduring impact on so many for so long has inspired my wife and me to invest in ESU's current and future success."

Added Dr. David Cordle, provost and vice president for academic affairs: "The gifts we celebrate today demonstrate the commitment of our alumni as well as the dedication of our leadership. We're grateful to the former students who continue to support the university, and we're fortunate to have dedicated leaders like Dr. Ken Weaver and his wife, Katherine, whose investment will help students both now and forever. "

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The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Emporia State University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

I/we give to Emporia State University Foundation, Inc., 1500 Highland St., Emporia, KS 66801, the sum of $__________________; or_____% of my estate; or the property described herein:____________________________________________; for the benefit of Emporia State University.

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Emporia State or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Emporia State as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Emporia State as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Emporia State where you agree to make a gift to Emporia State and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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